LettersWhy Hong Kong Ocean Park deserves billions of dollars in support: profits aren’t everything

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Ocean Park, which has operated at a loss since 2015, is Hong Kong’s only home-grown theme park. Photo: Martin Chan

Published: 8:30am, 24 Jan 2020Updated: 8:30am, 24 Jan 2020

The government’s HK$10.6 billion plan to support the renewal of Ocean Park has been slammed by both the pro-establishment and pan-democratic camps. Although I agree that Ocean Park may not be a promising investment, it is still important that the government takes steps to save our own local theme park.

Ocean Park has been operating at a loss since 2015. In view of the current civil unrest, no one can be 100 per cent sure that visitor numbers will rise after the renewal project is completed. It is true that theme parks in mainland cities nearby are undermining the competitiveness of Ocean Park. That said, I support the appropriation request for two reasons.

First, Ocean Park is a not merely a tourist attraction, but a recreational facility for local children, couples and families. Despite all the criticism the park has received, many of us would have visited it at least once. It is a fun, relaxing place not too far away from home.

Second, it is also an educational facility. Hong Kong does not have a real zoo, though we do have the pitifully small Zoological and Botanical Gardens. Ocean Park serves as an important place for our students to learn about wildlife and marine life.

Also, criticism that Ocean Park has “betrayed Hong Kong people” for offering lower-priced deals to tourists but not to locals is totally groundless. This is not an unusual practice. In Tokyo, to promote tourism, transport companies offer a lot of discounts to visitors, including on trains into town from Narita airport. Would you say they have “betrayed the Japanese”? If not, isn’t that double standards?

Not all projects supported by the government should be assessed on the mere criterion of lucrativeness; other considerations could take precedence.